System and method for copying text messages of a minor to be monitored by a guardian

• US 9,590,936 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2015
• Issued: 03/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AmberWatch Foundation
• Original Assignee: AmberWatch Foundation
• Inventors: Jarrett, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): RECEK, JASON D
• Application Number:
  US14/692,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20150256494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 709206-207, 709/220, 709/224
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/308 retaining data, e.g. retaining successful, unsuccessful communication attempts, internet access, or e-mail, internet telephony, intercept related information or call content
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, systems, and computer program products for copying text messages sent to or from a user, such as a child or minor to a location external to the user'"'"'s mobile device, for review by a third party having a legal right to view the user'"'"'s messages, such as a parent or guardian. One aspect of the invention is a method of copying a user'"'"'s messages. The text message carrier server system receives a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver. It sends the text message to the receiver. It also checks a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, and when the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, it sends a copy of the text message content to a remote text message monitoring system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

at a text message carrier server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors;

receiving a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver;

sending the text message to the receiver;

checking by the text message carrier system, a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, wherein the monitor list is a list of subscribed users;

after sending the text message to the receiver, if the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, sending from the text message carrier system a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system distinct from the text message carrier system, wherein the copy of the sent text message content is accessible by an authorized third party; and

sending a reminder message to the sender stating that the sender'"'"'s messages are being copied.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the copy of the sent text message content includes one or more of:

a sender'"'"'s identification, a receiver'"'"'s identification, a date received, a time received, and a text message attachment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the text message attachment is a photograph.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the third party is a guardian and the user is a minor.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if the sender or receiver is registered in a two party consent state; and

if either the sender or the receiver is registered in a two party consent state, sending a message to both the sender and the receiver that a copy of the sent text message content will be sent to a remote text message monitoring system unless either the sender or the receiver cancels the message within a predetermined period of time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the sending a copy further comprises:

delaying sending a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system until after the predetermined period of time has elapsed and no cancellation of the text message has been received.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an automatic update to the monitor list; and

updating the monitor list according to the automatic update, wherein the automatic update includes automatically removing a user from the monitor list when the user reaches a specified age.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a request to a user in the monitor list to explicitly verify that the authorized third party is given permission to view copies of the user'"'"'s textual messages when the user reaches a specified age.

9. A server system, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs comprising instructions for;

receiving a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver;

sending the text message to the receiver;

checking by the text message carrier system, a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, wherein the monitor list is a list of subscribed users;

after sending the text message to the receiver, when the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, sending from the text message carrier system a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system distinct from the text message carrier system, wherein the copy of the sent text message content is accessible by an authorized third party; and

sending a reminder message to the sender stating that the sender'"'"'s messages are being copied.

10. The server system of claim 9, wherein the copy of the sent text message content includes one or more of:

a sender'"'"'s identification, a receiver'"'"'s identification, a date received, a time received, and a text message attachment.

11. The server system of claim 10, wherein the text message attachment is a photograph.

12. The server system of claim 9, wherein the third party is a guardian and the user is a minor.

13. The server system of claim 9, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:

determining if the sender or receiver is registered in a two party consent state; and

if either the sender or the receiver is registered in a two party consent state, sending a message to both the sender and the receiver that a copy of the sent text message content will be sent to a remote text message monitoring system unless either the sender or the receiver cancels the message within a predetermined period of time.

14. The server system of claim 13, wherein the instructions for sending a copy further comprises instructions for:

delaying sending a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system until after the predetermined period of time has elapsed and no cancellation of the text message has been received.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a computer system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:

receiving a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver;

sending the text message to the receiver;

checking by the text message carrier system, a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, wherein the monitor list is a list of subscribed users;

after sending the text message to the receiver, if the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, sending from the text message carrier system a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system distinct from the text message carrier system, wherein the copy of the sent text message content is accessible by an authorized third party; and

sending a reminder message to the sender stating that the sender'"'"'s messages are being copied.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the copy of the sent text message content includes one or more of:

a sender'"'"'s identification, a receiver'"'"'s identification, a date received, a time received, and a text message attachment.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the text message attachment is a photograph.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the third party is a guardian and the user is a minor.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, further comprising:

determining if the sender or receiver is registered in a two party consent state; and

if either the sender or the receiver is registered in a two party consent state, sending a message to both the sender and the receiver that a copy of the sent text message content will be sent to a remote text message monitoring system unless either the sender or the receiver cancels the message within a predetermined period of time.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the sending a copy further comprises:

delaying sending a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system until after the predetermined period of time has elapsed and no cancellation of the text message has been received.